Tarantula Care: Complete Beginner's Guide

Tarantulas are among the most misunderstood yet fascinating pets you can keep. These eight-legged wonders challenge our perceptions, offering a unique pet-keeping experience that's surprisingly low-maintenance, space-efficient, and absolutely captivating. Despite their fearsome reputation, most pet tarantulas are docile, hardy, and perfect for beginners willing to learn their specific needs.

Whether you're considering your first tarantula or want to ensure you're providing optimal care, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know. From choosing the right species to housing, feeding, and handling, let's demystify tarantula keeping together!

Understanding Tarantulas

What Are Tarantulas?

Basic facts:

• Classification: Arachnids (spiders), not insects
• Species: Over 900 species worldwide
• Size: 5-30cm leg span depending on species
• Lifespan: Males 3-7 years, females 10-30+ years
• Activity: Mostly nocturnal
• Temperament: Species-dependent, many very docile

Why Keep Tarantulas?

Benefits of tarantula ownership:

• Low maintenance: Feed once weekly, minimal daily care
• Space-efficient: Small enclosures suitable
• Quiet: Completely silent pets
• Long-lived: Females can live 20-30 years
• Fascinating behaviour: Hunting, webbing, moulting
• Affordable: Low ongoing costs
• Hypoallergenic: No fur or dander
• Educational: Learn about arachnids
• Unique: Conversation starter

Realistic Expectations

Important truths:

• Not cuddly or interactive pets
• Observation pets primarily
• Can bite (though rare)
• Urticating hairs can irritate (New World species)
• Escape artists if enclosure not secure
• Some people genuinely afraid
• Long commitment (females especially)
• Handling not necessary or recommended

Best Beginner Tarantula Species

1. Chilean Rose Hair (Grammostola rosea)

Classic beginner tarantula:

• Size: 12-15cm leg span
• Lifespan: Females 15-20 years, males 3-5 years
• Temperament: Generally docile, can be unpredictable
• Care level: Easy
• Type: Terrestrial (ground-dwelling)
• Origin: Chile
• Cost: £20-£50

Why good for beginners:

• Very hardy and forgiving
• Tolerates handling (though not recommended)
• Slow-moving
• Readily available
• Affordable
• Can go months without food

2. Mexican Red Knee (Brachypelma smithi)

Beautiful and docile:

• Size: 14-16cm leg span
• Lifespan: Females 25-30 years, males 5-7 years
• Temperament: Calm and docile
• Care level: Easy
• Type: Terrestrial
• Origin: Mexico
• Cost: £40-£100

Why good for beginners:

• Very docile
• Stunning appearance
• Hardy
• Slow-moving
• Rarely defensive

3. Curly Hair (Tliltocatl albopilosus)

Fluffy and friendly:

• Size: 12-15cm leg span
• Lifespan: Females 10-15 years, males 3-4 years
• Temperament: Very docile
• Care level: Easy
• Type: Terrestrial
• Origin: Central America
• Cost: £30-£60

Why good for beginners:

• Extremely docile
• Unique curly hair appearance
• Hardy
• Good eater
• Rarely flicks hairs

Species to Avoid

Not for beginners:

• Old World species: More aggressive, potent venom, no urticating hairs
• Poecilotheria (Ornamental tarantulas): Fast, defensive, potent venom
• Theraphosa blondi (Goliath birdeater): Huge, defensive, difficult
• Arboreal species: More challenging care, faster, more defensive

Housing Your Tarantula

Enclosure Size

Appropriate space:

• Terrestrial species: Floor space important, 3x leg span length x 2x leg span width
• Height: 1.5-2x leg span (prevent falls)
• Example: 15cm leg span = 45x30x30cm enclosure minimum
• Bigger not always better: Too large makes feeding difficult

Enclosure Type

Housing options:

• Plastic containers: Cheap, effective (drill ventilation holes)
• Glass terrariums: Good visibility, secure
• Acrylic enclosures: Purpose-built, expensive
• Essential: Secure lid (tarantulas can climb glass)
• Ventilation: Cross-ventilation important

Substrate

Bedding options:

• Coconut fibre (coir): Best option, holds moisture
• Peat moss: Good alternative
• Vermiculite: Mixed with coir
• Depth: 5-10cm for terrestrial species
• Avoid: Cedar, pine (toxic), gravel, sand alone

Hides and Décor

Create security:

• Hide essential: Cork bark, half flower pot, commercial hide
• Water dish: Shallow dish, changed regularly
• Fake plants: Optional, provides cover
• Keep simple: Tarantulas don't need much
• Avoid: Sharp objects, anything that could fall

Temperature and Humidity

Environmental needs:

• Temperature: 21-27°C for most species
• Room temperature: Usually adequate
• Heating: Heat mat on side if needed (not underneath)
• Humidity: Species-dependent (50-70% for most beginners)
• Maintain humidity: Mist substrate, keep water dish full
• Avoid: Overly wet substrate (mould risk)

Feeding Your Tarantula

What Tarantulas Eat

Carnivorous diet:

• Crickets: Most common feeder
• Locusts: Good alternative
• Dubia roaches: Excellent nutrition
• Mealworms: Occasional (high fat)
• Prey size: No larger than tarantula's body

Feeding Schedule

Age-appropriate feeding:

• Spiderlings: 2-3 times weekly
• Juveniles: Once weekly
• Adults: Once weekly to fortnightly
• Can fast: Weeks or months (normal before moult)

Feeding Method

How to feed:

• Drop prey into enclosure
• Use feeding tongs for safety
• Remove uneaten prey after 24 hours
• Don't feed during/after moult
• Watch for feeding response

Moulting

Understanding Moulting

Natural process:

• What it is: Shedding exoskeleton to grow
• Frequency: Spiderlings monthly, adults yearly or less
• Duration: Few hours to complete
• Vulnerable time: Don't disturb

Pre-Moult Signs

What to watch for:

• Refusing food
• Darkening colour
• Bald patch on abdomen
• Lethargic behaviour
• Web mat creation
• Lying on back (moulting position)

During Moult

What to do:

• Don't disturb: Leave completely alone
• Don't panic: Lying on back is normal
• Maintain humidity: Helps moulting process
• Remove prey: Can injure vulnerable tarantula
• Be patient: Can take hours

After Moult

Post-moult care:

• Don't feed for 7-10 days
• Fangs need to harden
• Colours will be vibrant
• May regenerate lost limbs
• Keep moult (record keeping)

Handling

To Handle or Not?

Controversial topic:

• Not necessary: For tarantula's health or wellbeing
• Risky for tarantula: Falls can be fatal
• Risky for you: Bites possible, urticating hairs
• Stressful: For the tarantula
• Personal choice: But understand risks

If You Must Handle

Safest practices:

• Sit on floor (prevent falls)
• Cup hands, let tarantula walk
• Move slowly and calmly
• Never handle before/after moult
• Never handle if defensive
• Wash hands after (urticating hairs)

Urticating Hairs

New World defence:

• Kick hairs from abdomen when threatened
• Causes itching and irritation
• Can affect eyes, nose, throat
• Wash hands after tank maintenance
• Don't rub eyes
• Seek medical attention if severe

Health and Common Issues

Signs of a Healthy Tarantula

What to look for:

• Good appetite
• Active (for species)
• Abdomen plump
• All legs intact and functional
• Regular moulting
• Creating web

Common Problems

Issues to watch for:

• Dehydration: Shrivelled abdomen, lethargy
• Mould: From overly wet substrate
• Mites: Tiny dots on tarantula
• Injuries: From falls or prey
• Stuck moult: Humidity too low

When to Worry

Seek expert help if:

• Not eating for months (outside pre-moult)
• Abdomen severely shrunken
• Stuck in moult
• Severe injury
• Lethargic with other symptoms

Sexing Tarantulas

Why It Matters

Lifespan differences:

• Females: Live 10-30+ years
• Males: Live 3-7 years
• Males mature faster: Die after reaching maturity
• Affects purchase decision: Long vs short commitment

How to Sex

Methods:

• Moult examination: Most reliable (look for spermatheca)
• Visual (mature males): Tibial hooks, bulbous pedipalps
• Difficult in juveniles: Need moult to confirm
• Ask seller: Reputable breeders can sex

Legal Considerations

UK Legal Status

Know the law:

• Most tarantulas legal to keep
• No license required for common species
• Some species may require permits
• Check local council regulations
• Rental agreements may restrict

Where to Buy

Reputable sources:

• Specialist breeders: Best option, healthy animals
• Reptile/exotic shows: Meet breeders, see tarantulas
• Online breeders: Research thoroughly
• Avoid: Wild-caught, poor conditions
• Check health: Active, plump abdomen, all legs

Costs of Tarantula Ownership

Initial Setup

Budget for these:

• Tarantula: £20-£100+ depending on species
• Enclosure: £10-£50
• Substrate: £5-£15
• Hide and décor: £5-£20
• Water dish: £2-£5
• Thermometer/hygrometer: £5-£15
• Total: £47-£205

Monthly Costs

Ongoing expenses:

• Food: £5-£15/month
• Substrate replacement: £2-£5/month
• Total: £7-£20/month (very affordable!)

Common Beginner Mistakes

Critical Errors

Avoid these:

• Enclosure too tall: Falls can be fatal
• Overfeeding: Causes obesity and rupture risk
• Handling too much: Stressful and risky
• Disturbing during moult: Can be fatal
• Wrong species: Old World for beginners
• Cohabitation: Tarantulas are cannibalistic
• Overly wet substrate: Mould and health issues
• Panic during moult: Lying on back is normal

Daily Care Routine

Daily Tasks

Minimal care needed:

• Check water dish (refill if needed)
• Observe tarantula's behaviour
• Check temperature/humidity
• That's it! (Very low maintenance)

Weekly Tasks

Regular maintenance:

• Feed tarantula
• Remove uneaten prey
• Spot clean substrate if needed
• Mist substrate if humidity low

Monthly Tasks

Occasional maintenance:

• Full substrate change (every 3-6 months)
• Clean water dish thoroughly
• Check enclosure security

Your Tarantula Journey

Tarantulas are extraordinary pets that challenge our perceptions and offer a unique window into the world of arachnids. Despite their fearsome reputation, most pet tarantulas are calm, hardy, and surprisingly low-maintenance companions.

Success with tarantulas comes down to choosing the right beginner species, providing appropriate housing, maintaining proper humidity, and respecting their nature as observation pets. Get these fundamentals right, and your tarantula will thrive for years – potentially decades if you have a female.

Remember, tarantulas aren't cuddly pets. They won't greet you at the door or play fetch. But watching them hunt, create intricate webs, and go through the fascinating moulting process offers rewards that traditional pets simply can't provide.

The low maintenance requirements make tarantulas perfect for busy people, students, or anyone wanting a fascinating pet without the daily demands of mammals or birds. Feed once a week, maintain humidity, and enjoy observing one of nature's most misunderstood creatures.

Take your time choosing your species, set up the enclosure properly, and prepare for a long-term relationship with one of the most ancient and successful predators on Earth. Welcome to the fascinating world of tarantula keeping!

Happy tarantula keeping from all of us at Petziverse!